As precision farming departments at farm equipment dealerships evolve, adding agronomic services has been somewhat of a natural progression. But, generating recurring revenue from agronomic services can be a challenge.
The shifting nature of precision farming demands a foundation for employee commitment, yet the unique structure of any given dealership eliminates the possibility for any universal blueprint. Rarely does the perfect formula come from direct replication or an unhinged maverick move, but the best plans often fall somewhere in between.
Richins & Finley, the managers heading up the precision farming efforts at Stotz Equipment (John Deere) and Mazergroup (New Holland), share the components of their internal training systems to equip staff for success.
Staff training was part of nearly every discussion at the 2018 Precision Farming Dealer Summit in Louisville. Precision is where things are moving fastest, and the expectations of farmers and the dealership itself (both equally unrealistic at times) and the firefighting at planting and harvest require highly structured processes and duties.
Employee turnover is a predicament most precision farming dealers will need to navigate through at some point. The average tenure of a precision farming specialist at a dealership is often cited as about 18 months.
Among the top things to consider when it comes to taking in a piece of used precision technology are age and condition of the unit, who potential second customers are and how many of the same unit you have in inventory already.
Drones were introduced as the pinnacle of innovation that would change the agricultural industry. But with many retailers struggling to sell drones or Unmanned Arial Vehicles (UAVs), what is the real ROI?
In a conversation representing dealers, software specialists and farmers from across the globe, this roundtable during the Precision Farming Dealer Summit, Jan.8-9, discussed several digital-based topics: the potential of converting ag data into profit, how to position farm data into a billable format for dealers, and how to communicate that value to the farmers.
There are many factors that go into making a precision field day successful. Weather, attendance and other variables can complicate the execution of a precision field day.
Interest among farm equipment dealers in adding agronomic services to supplement precision support continues to grow. But finding the most direct, or effective entry point remains a mystery for many machinery retailers.
Go behind the scenes with Chad Baker, co-owner of Baker Precision Planter Works in Orangeville, Ill., as he hits the road for on-farm visits and pre-season maintenance checkups. Baker helps a first-generation no-tiller prepare for planting season, and later runs into a couple big challenges with a customer’s new, high-speed, 24-row planter.
The college offers an associate degree in Applied Science in Agriculture (60 credit hours). Students enrolled in this program may specialize in precision farming technology by selecting up to 15 credit hours in this area and agriculture business, sales and agronomy.
The college offers an AAS in Precision Agriculture and customized precision ag- related training for agricultural producers, insurance underwriters, equipment dealer and agricultural cooperative employees and others.
Offering training on Ag Leader, Trimble, Reichhardt, Norac and Integris Systems in twice yearly customer training events (spring/fall). Also offering individual training opportunities on any HTS Ag products and SMS software, year round.